The 10 Best Running Shorts, Ranked

It might be too early to call but these shorts are in the lead to be the ones I wear for the New York City marathon. They have five pockets and a wide, mesh belt built into the waistband, which is critical for fuel storage, the phone, and cards. The material is buttery soft, compressive, supportive, and thick but not restrictive. I am never worried about any chafing between my thighs or the shorts riding down. After all these hot and humid summer days, I can also attest to their moisture-wicking capabilities; you could not even tell how sweaty I was after my long runs. I like these so much I have considered buying another pair in case On stops making them.

After seeing these on nearly every runner on the Westside Highway, I picked up a pair earlier this month. On the Bandit site, they say these are their “#1 best selling women's product,” and I can see why. The design of these shorts is intentional: two deep side pockets great for fuel and the phone, one zippered pocket in the back for keys or cards, and grip tape along the bottom hem to minimize any chance the shorts ride up. My preference is a 5” compression short because it is the goldilocks length of not being too short or too long, but these also come in 3” and 7” options. You know you find a good short when you are excited to go for your next run just so you can wear them again. If you are on the fence about trying compression shorts, let these be your entry point.

The AeroSwifts were my first pair of split shorts, and after a speed workout, I was wondering where they had been all my running life. The open sides allow the legs greater range of motion, and while I am not sure how much that benefits someone running a pace that will never get me on a podium, it definitely makes me feel faster to have so little fabric restriction. Also the way these are cut, the flowy fabric manages to not get caught between my thighs.

For the price, these are one of the best shorts on this list. They are on the higher waisted side so they are supportive, flowy but not too baggy, and have a large zippered pocket that fits an iPhone. However, this is the only pocket in these shorts, so running with your phone for a prolonged period or heavy fuel does unevenly weigh them down on one side. They are a go-to for a middle distance workout, especially if you do not mind holding your phone.

Originally created for the Marathon Trials for the 2020 Summer Games, these shorts feel like you are about to have a new personal best. They are light as air and barely noticeable on. All the pockets in the back were designed for gels, making them a great option whether you are racing a half or full marathon or just going out on a long run.

When I first received these shorts, I balked at their size. The low-rise fit plus the 2.5” inseam meant these look closer to boyshort underwear than something I was going to wear out in the world. My worries were for nothing, however, because once I got going, I realized these basically had the benefits of running tights due to zero extra fabric but without the compressive feel. I reach for these when it’s extra hot out and I am just going to rip around the park.

Everyone knows HOKA for their running shoes, but they also make thoughtful apparel. These shorts have a wide, supportive waistband that doubles as a built-in mesh storage belt for all your fuel needs and also a zippered pocket for secure keys and card storage. They wear like a split short without the full openness that shows a lot of leg.

Before direct-to-consumer brands and Amazon dupes, I began my running journey in 2006 with these shorts. I remember scouring the racks at Dick’s sporting goods in the early aughts to find the funkiest patterns on sale. Over the years, the simple design has not changed, I just opt for more neutral colors. They are moisture wicking and having a little pocket for a key or credit card, making them a great option for a casual workout.

The girls over on TikTok absolutely love these shorts. They are very flattering due to the fluttery style and come in bright colors for those who like to wear fun colors to workout. These are my shorts for chill community runs where I want to look cute and do not need to be carrying extra snacks with me.

These were my go-tos when I was running more casually a few years ago. They are your perfect no-frills running shorts. There is a small zippered pocket for valuables, they are almost always on sale making them usually less than $20, come in fun colors and patterns, and are perfectly flowy without incorporating too much extra fabric. I have four pairs of these and one always gets a spot in my suitcase no matter where I am traveling because I also love these for lounging and bopping around.